Washington Bill of Sale
Create a Washington vehicle bill of sale and email yourself the PDF. In Washington the seller's signature must be notarized or certified by a licensing agent.
Washington requires the seller's signature on a vehicle bill of sale to be notarized or certified by a licensing agent, and an odometer reading is required for the sale. Washington's standard form is the Vehicle/Vessel Bill of Sale (Form TD-420-065). Have the signature notarized or certified before submitting for title.
Washington: the seller's signature must be notarized or certified by a licensing agent, and an odometer reading is required for vehicles.
Open prefilled Washington generatorHow to sell a vehicle privately in Washington
Private vehicle sales in Washington go through the Department of Licensing (DOL). The seller signs over the title, the buyer applies to transfer it into their name, and a bill of sale documents the transaction. Washington has a key signing requirement: the seller's signature on the bill of sale must be notarized or certified by a Washington licensing agent. Plan to sign in front of a notary or at a licensing office rather than signing it alone.
Washington's standard form is the Vehicle/Vessel Bill of Sale (Form TD-420-065). It records the buyer and seller, the vehicle's year, make, model, and VIN, the sale price, and the odometer reading, which is required for the sale. Complete the form fully and have the seller's signature notarized or certified so the document is accepted at transfer.
After the sale, the buyer must report the transfer and apply for a new title and registration, generally within 15 days of the purchase date in Washington; transferring late can trigger penalty fees. The buyer pays the title fee, registration fees, and use tax (Washington's equivalent of sales tax on private sales) at a licensing office.
The seller should also file a Report of Sale with DOL promptly after the sale. Filing the Report of Sale releases the seller from liability for the vehicle going forward, so it is an important step, not just paperwork. Keep a signed copy of the bill of sale for your records.
Official form: Washington Form TD-420-065
What to know in Washington
Frequently asked questions
Does Washington require a notarized bill of sale?
The seller's signature must be notarized or certified by a Washington licensing agent. So while it does not have to happen at a notary specifically, the signature does need to be notarized or agent-certified to be accepted.
Do I need an odometer reading in Washington?
Yes. An odometer reading is required for the sale. Record the mileage on the bill of sale and the title so the disclosure is documented.
What form does Washington use for a bill of sale?
Washington's standard form is the Vehicle/Vessel Bill of Sale, Form TD-420-065, available from the Department of Licensing.
How quickly must I transfer the title in Washington?
The buyer generally must report the transfer and apply for a new title within 15 days of the sale to avoid penalty fees, and the seller should file a Report of Sale promptly.
Can I write my own bill of sale in Washington?
You can use your own document, but the seller's signature still must be notarized or certified by a licensing agent, so many people use the official Form TD-420-065 to be safe.
Important note
This is practical paperwork guidance, not legal advice. State DMV rules change; confirm current titling, notarization, and odometer requirements with Washington before relying on this document.